Bruno Fernandes beats ex-Manchester United and Chelsea star to break impressive record
Always on top at Manchester United when it comes to production, Bruno Fernandes has now grabbed an impressive European record. With an assist in a 2-2 against Lyon in the Europa League, Fernandes now has more in the competition’s knockout rounds than any other player in history. Fernandes had reason to smile against LyonGetty He got an assist for what appeared to be the winning goal for Man UnitedAFP The Portuguese found Joshua Zirkzee with a fine pass in the 88th minute with what appeared to be the winning goal, although Lyon equalised in the final seconds of the game. The Portuguese midfielder entered the tie level with former Red Devil Juan Mata on 11 but has now moved ahead as the sole record holder. Fernandes also extended his record for Europa League goal involvements and now has 45, (24 goals, 21 assists), ahead of second-placed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has 43. On top of that, 16 of Fernandes’ goals in the competition have come in the knockout rounds, showing just how big time he is in the Europa League. But as mentioned, Fernandes’ assist and Zirkzee’s goal wasn’t enough to get the Red Devils over the line with Rayan Cherki scoring in the final moments of stoppage time after Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled a powerful shot in his path. Onana was left culpable for Lyon’s first goal as he let Thiago Almada’s free-kick drop into the net after no player managed to get contact on the cross. Leny Yoro equalised just before half time, his first Man United goal. Signed from Sporting in 2020 for £67million, Fernandes has long been the standard-setter at Old Trafford and this season is no different. In 2024/25 he has 32 goal involvements (16 goals, 16 assists), 15 more than Alejandro Garnacho in second place on 17. That’s nothing out of the ordinary for Fernandes who led United’s production in 2023/24 with 28 goal involvements, and 2020/21 with a mega 46 (28 goals, 18 assists). So talismanic has the Porto-born star been, that in 2023 he was made club captain by Erik ten Hag who gave him the armband from Harry Maguire. Fernandes broke another record on Thursday nightAFP But Onana’s errors cost Man United the winGetty He has an FA Cup and Carabao Cup with the Manchester giants, but can be an opinion splitter due to his often criticised antics on the pitch. Former United captain Roy Keane has long been a critic of Fernandes, and recently got in an incredibly aggressive debate with Ian Wright who argued he’s the one United player who doesn’t deserve criticism. “They draw at Everton, it’s like they won the cup. It’s f****** bizarre!” he seethed on The Overlap. “The level of the fans, I see fans singing for Bruno. I see these boys, and I think they’re f****** imposters.” Fernandes later responded to the viral scenes, saying: “Obviously it’s not nice to hear bad things about you, I think no one likes it. “But at the same time, it motivates and it makes you feel that obviously there’s a lot of things that people think you have to improve. A disappointing end to the night for Man United, although they’re in a good position to reach the semi-finals ahead of the second leg at Old Trafford next ThursdayGetty “You have to take it in a positive way, understanding that whatever people are saying, if there is a margin to improve or not. “Obviously I know you’re talking about Roy Keane, I’ve said it before, I have a huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains at the club, an amazing player for the club, won basically everything for this club. “So it’s the way he thinks, it’s the idea he has about me as a player, as a captain and I have to respect that. Obviously I do the things in my own way to try to be the best, not captain, but person and teammate as I can. “I do it everyday, I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the pitch, in everything I do. But obviously not everyone will like [it], not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone. “And as I said, I have huge respect for Roy Keane and obviously that there’s a lot of margin for improvement in my game, in my leadership, in everything I do, even in my own life.”
Always on top at Manchester United when it comes to production, Bruno Fernandes has now grabbed an impressive European record.
With an assist in a 2-2 against Lyon in the Europa League, Fernandes now has more in the competition’s knockout rounds than any other player in history.
The Portuguese found Joshua Zirkzee with a fine pass in the 88th minute with what appeared to be the winning goal, although Lyon equalised in the final seconds of the game.
The Portuguese midfielder entered the tie level with former Red Devil Juan Mata on 11 but has now moved ahead as the sole record holder.
Fernandes also extended his record for Europa League goal involvements and now has 45, (24 goals, 21 assists), ahead of second-placed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has 43.
On top of that, 16 of Fernandes’ goals in the competition have come in the knockout rounds, showing just how big time he is in the Europa League.
But as mentioned, Fernandes’ assist and Zirkzee’s goal wasn’t enough to get the Red Devils over the line with Rayan Cherki scoring in the final moments of stoppage time after Man United goalkeeper Andre Onana spilled a powerful shot in his path.
Onana was left culpable for Lyon’s first goal as he let Thiago Almada’s free-kick drop into the net after no player managed to get contact on the cross. Leny Yoro equalised just before half time, his first Man United goal.
Signed from Sporting in 2020 for £67million, Fernandes has long been the standard-setter at Old Trafford and this season is no different.
In 2024/25 he has 32 goal involvements (16 goals, 16 assists), 15 more than Alejandro Garnacho in second place on 17.
That’s nothing out of the ordinary for Fernandes who led United’s production in 2023/24 with 28 goal involvements, and 2020/21 with a mega 46 (28 goals, 18 assists).
So talismanic has the Porto-born star been, that in 2023 he was made club captain by Erik ten Hag who gave him the armband from Harry Maguire.
He has an FA Cup and Carabao Cup with the Manchester giants, but can be an opinion splitter due to his often criticised antics on the pitch.
Former United captain Roy Keane has long been a critic of Fernandes, and recently got in an incredibly aggressive debate with Ian Wright who argued he’s the one United player who doesn’t deserve criticism.
“They draw at Everton, it’s like they won the cup. It’s f****** bizarre!” he seethed on The Overlap.
“The level of the fans, I see fans singing for Bruno. I see these boys, and I think they’re f****** imposters.”
Fernandes later responded to the viral scenes, saying: “Obviously it’s not nice to hear bad things about you, I think no one likes it.
“But at the same time, it motivates and it makes you feel that obviously there’s a lot of things that people think you have to improve.
“You have to take it in a positive way, understanding that whatever people are saying, if there is a margin to improve or not.
“Obviously I know you’re talking about Roy Keane, I’ve said it before, I have a huge respect for Roy Keane. I think he was one of the best captains at the club, an amazing player for the club, won basically everything for this club.
“So it’s the way he thinks, it’s the idea he has about me as a player, as a captain and I have to respect that. Obviously I do the things in my own way to try to be the best, not captain, but person and teammate as I can.
“I do it everyday, I try to be an example in everything I do in the training sessions, on the pitch, in everything I do. But obviously not everyone will like [it], not everyone will think in the same way, and I respect every opinion of everyone.
“And as I said, I have huge respect for Roy Keane and obviously that there’s a lot of margin for improvement in my game, in my leadership, in everything I do, even in my own life.”
